Apparatus and method for removing, diluting and dispensing fluid from a flexible tube

Apparatus for removing a fluid specimen from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having an opening sized for receiving the flexible tube which holds the specimen,
• b) a cannula having a sharp end, the cannula being located entirely inside the container and being affixed to the container, the cannula being positioned such that the sharp end will pierce the tube when the tube is inserted into the opening, and
• c) spout means connected to the container and defining a path for fluid flow, said path being distinct from said opening,
• wherein the cannula is supported by a dimple which is integral with the container, wherein the cannula extends through at least a portion of the dimple, and
• wherein the cannula extends through two distinct layers of material defining the dimple.

Apparatus for removing fluid from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having a wall and an opening, the container defining an interior region and an exterior region, and
• b) a cannula affixed to the wall of the container and positioned entirely within the interior region near the opening,
• wherein the wall of the container is formed with a dimple extending into the interior region, and wherein the cannula is inserted through at least a portion of the dimple, and
• wherein the container includes a permanently closed-off bottom portion opposite the opening, the bottom portion having a reduced-diameter part which comprises means for retaining some of said specimen by surface tension.

Apparatus for removing a fluid specimen from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having an opening sized for receiving the flexible tube which holds the specimen,
• b) a cannula having a sharp end, the cannula being located entirely inside the container and being affixed to the container, the cannula being positioned such that the sharp end will pierce the tube when the tube is inserted into the opening, and
• c) spout means connected to the container and defining a path for fluid flow, said path being distinct from said opening,
• wherein the cannula is supported by a dimple which is integral with the container, wherein the cannula extends through at least a portion of the dimple, and
• wherein the dimple defines an indentation in an exterior surface of the container, and wherein at least a portion of the indentation is filled with an adhesive material.

A method of removing, diluting, and dispensing fluid stored in a flexible tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) guiding the flexible tube into a container, the container having a sharp cannula disposed therein, the container having a bottom, the cannula having an opening spaced from the bottom, the guiding step being performed by pushing the tube through an opening in the container such that the tube becomes pierced by the cannula, and such that fluid flows out of the tube and collects at the bottom of the container,
• b) injecting a diluent through the opening, and
• c) dispensing diluted fluid from the container through a spout formed in the container, the spout being distinct from the opening,
• wherein the guiding step is followed by the step of squeezing the tube so as to dispense fluid from the tube, and into the cannula, and
• wherein the cannula extends substantially to the bottom of the container, and wherein the squeezing step is followed by the step of relaxing pressure on the tube so as to suck fluid back into the tube, so as to maintain a desired amount of fluid in the container.

A method of removing, diluting, and dispensing fluid stored in a flexible tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) guiding the flexible tube into a container, the container having a sharp cannula disposed therein, the container having a bottom, the cannula having an opening spaced from the bottom, the guiding step being performed by pushing the tube through an opening in the container such that the tube becomes pierced by the cannula, and such that fluid flows out of the tube and collects at the bottom of the container,
• b) injecting a diluent through the opening, and
• c) dispensing diluted fluid from the container through a spout formed in the container, the spout being distinct from the opening,
• wherein the container is flexible, and wherein the injecting step is followed by the step of mixing fluid with the diluent by repeatedly squeezing the container.

A method of removing, diluting, and dispensing fluid stored in a flexible tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) guiding the flexible tube into a container, the container having a sharp cannula disposed therein, the container having a bottom, the cannula having an opening spaced from the bottom, the guiding step being performed by pushing the tube through an opening in the container such that the tube becomes pierced by the cannula, and such that fluid flows out of the tube and collects at the bottom of the container,
• b) injecting a diluent through the opening, and
• c) dispensing diluted fluid from the container through a spout formed in the container, the spout being distinct from the opening,
• wherein the dispensing step is performed by covering the opening so as to create an air lock, tilting the container, and squeezing the container.

A method of removing, diluting, and dispensing fluid stored in a flexible tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) guiding the flexible tube into a container, the container having a sharp cannula disposed therein, the container having a bottom, the cannula having an opening spaced from the bottom, the guiding step being performed by pushing the tube through an opening in the container such that the tube becomes pierced by the cannula, and such that fluid flows out of the tube and collects at the bottom of the container,
• b) injecting a diluent through the opening, and
• c) dispensing diluted fluid from the container through a spout formed in the container, the spout being distinct from the opening,
• wherein the spout has an exit tip, and wherein the method further comprises the step of determining a size of the exit tip according to a desired droplet size.

Apparatus for removing a fluid specimen from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having an opening sized for receiving the flexible tube which holds the specimen,
• b) a cannula having a sharp end, the cannula being located entirely inside the container and being affixed to the container, the cannula being positioned such that the sharp end will pierce the tube when the tube is inserted into the opening, and
• c) spout means connected to the container and defining a path for fluid flow, said path being distinct from said opening,
• wherein the apparatus includes a support means for suspending the apparatus from a rack, and
• wherein the support means includes a chamfer for centralizing the apparatus in a rack.

Apparatus for removing fluid from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having a wall and an opening, the container defining an interior region and an exterior region, and
• b) a cannula affixed to the wall of the container and positioned entirely within the interior region near the opening,
• wherein the wall of the container is formed with a dimple extending into the interior region, and wherein the cannula is inserted through at least a portion of the dimple,
• wherein the cannula extends through two layers of material defining the dimple.

Apparatus for removing fluid from a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a container having a wall and an opening, the container defining an interior region and an exterior region, and
• b) a cannula affixed to the wall of the container and positioned entirely within the interior region near the opening,
• wherein the wall of the container is formed with a dimple extending into the interior region, and wherein the cannula is inserted through at least a portion of the dimple,
• wherein a portion of the cannula is exposed to the exterior region, and wherein the cannula is affixed to the dimple with an adhesive which also comprises means for sealing the dimple from the exterior region.

A method of removing, diluting, and dispensing fluid stored in a flexible tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) guiding the flexible tube into a container, the container having a sharp cannula disposed therein, the container having a bottom, the cannula having an opening spaced from the bottom, the guiding step being performed by pushing the tube through an opening in the container such that the tube becomes pierced by the cannula, and such that fluid flows out of the tube and collects at the bottom of the container,
• b) injecting a diluent through the opening, and
• c) dispensing diluted fluid from the container through a spout formed in the container, the spout being distinct from the opening,
• wherein the guiding step is followed by the step of squeezing the tube so as to dispense fluid from the tube, and into the cannula, and
• wherein the cannula extends substantially to the bottom of the container, and wherein the squeezing step is followed by the step of relaxing pressure on the tube so as to suck fluid back into the tube, so as to maintain a desired amount of fluid in the container.